While it’s on its way to the governor, the bill’s passing was not a quiet affair.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland lawmakers took one step closer to making history on Wednesday after House members voted to send a bill that would create a reparations commission to the governor’s desk.
The commission focuses on the historical impact of chattel slavery and policies during the Jim Crow era between 1877-1965, which led to race-based economic disparities for the descendants of those impacted.
If passed, the commission would be the first of its kind in the state’s history, and only the fourth in the entire country.
“Here in Maryland, we value truth, we value reconciliation, we value repair,” said Del. Jheanelle Wilkins (D-District 20), who also serves as chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland. “This bill is actually one of the very cost effective bills in our state. It’s about $50,000 for this commission, and I think given the topic we’re talking about, with the forced labor and enslavement of people for a very long time in our state, I think that very low cost is certainly worth it for us to study this issue.”
However, the bill’s passing was not a quiet affair.
For more than an hour, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle argued the merits of the commission on the floor. Some called for clarity, warning Maryland may not be financially prepared for the commission’s recommendations to make amends. Others also questioned why a commission like this is necessary in 2025.
“There will be hundreds of thousands, potentially millions, of potential beneficiaries of a Reparations Commission recommendation scattered potentially throughout the globe, certainly the United States,” said Del. Jason C. Buckel (R-District 1B).
“This list of grievances that we spelled out all happened before I was born, before millions of Marylanders had anything to do with slavery or discrimination!” exclaimed Del. Matthew Morgan (R-District 29A).
However, Wilkins said addressing past injustices is necessary to ensure the families of those who suffered aren’t left behind.
“We would be killing ourselves and fooling ourselves if we didn’t think and understand that it still impacts the wealth inequality that we see today,” she said. “Those laws, those policies that were sanctioned here in the state of Maryland that we know helped keep some of those communities behind, figure out what those impacts are, and how can we address them because we still see it playing out.”
Now that the bill has been approved by the House, it will be presented to Gov. Wes Moore at the end of the month, and then he’ll decide whether he’ll sign off on the legislation at the end of May.
If passed, the commission will need to present a preliminary report to the governor and General Assembly by January 2027, and then a final report by the following November.